C-10 Exam Day: What to Expect at the PSI Center

You've studied for weeks, memorized formulas, and taken practice tests. Now it's exam day. Here's a complete walkthrough of what to expect at the PSI testing center so there are no surprises.

Before You Arrive

Your exam appointment confirmation from PSI will include the testing center address, your scheduled time, and a list of what to bring. Don't skip reading this email — it contains critical information.

• Two forms of valid ID: Your primary ID must be government-issued with a photo and signature (driver's license or passport). The secondary ID must have your signature (credit card, bank card).
• Arrive 30 minutes early: PSI centers have a check-in process that takes 10-15 minutes. If you arrive late, you may forfeit your exam and your fee.
• No personal items in the testing room: You'll be asked to store your phone, watch, wallet, keys, and bag in a locker. The center provides the locker and key.
• Dress in layers: Testing rooms can be cold. Wear comfortable clothing, but be aware that hoodies or bulky jackets may need to be removed for security checks.

The Check-In Process

When you arrive at the PSI center, here's what happens step by step:

• Sign in at the front desk: Present both forms of ID. The proctor will verify your identity and check your name against the appointment list.
• Digital photo and palm vein scan: PSI takes a photo and biometric scan for security. This is stored temporarily and used only for identity verification.
• Empty your pockets: You'll be asked to turn out all pockets, remove jackets, and show that you have no concealed materials.
• Receive scratch materials: The proctor gives you a small dry-erase board and marker (or pencil and scratch paper, depending on the center). You can use these during the exam.
• Escort to your workstation: A proctor walks you to your assigned computer terminal in the testing room.

The Computer Interface

The exam is delivered on a standard desktop computer through PSI's testing software. The interface is straightforward:

• One question at a time: Each question appears individually on screen with four answer choices (A, B, C, D).
• Navigation buttons: You can move forward, go back to previous questions, and flag questions for review.
• Timer display: A countdown timer is always visible in the corner of the screen. You have 3 hours and 30 minutes (210 minutes) for 115 questions.
• On-screen calculator: A basic calculator is available through the software. You can also request a physical calculator from the proctor.
• Flag for review: Use this feature liberally. If you're unsure about a question, flag it, make your best guess, and come back to it later.

Time Management During the Exam

With 210 minutes for 115 questions, you have approximately 1 minute and 49 seconds per question. Here's how to manage your time effectively:

• First pass (90-100 minutes): Answer every question you know immediately. Don't spend more than 1 minute on any question. If you're unsure, make your best guess, flag it, and move on.
• Second pass (60-70 minutes): Return to flagged questions. Now you can spend 3-5 minutes on harder calculation problems without time pressure.
• Final review (20-30 minutes): Review all your answers, especially the ones you flagged. Check your math on calculation questions. Make sure you haven't left any questions unanswered.

After the Exam

When you click "Submit" on the final question:

• Immediate preliminary results: The screen will display a "Pass" or "Fail" result. This is preliminary but almost always matches the official result.
• Score report: You'll receive a printed score report from the proctor showing your performance by topic area. If you didn't pass, this report tells you exactly which areas to focus on for your retake.
• Official results: CSLB will mail your official results within 2-3 weeks. If you passed both exams, your license application will continue processing.
• If you need to retake: You can schedule a retake after a waiting period (usually 18 days). You only need to retake the exam(s) you failed — if you passed Trade but failed L&B, you only retake L&B.